The unbelieving believer and the believing believer.

Have you ever wondered how two people could hear the same prophecy and have different responses, more so Christians? For example, a "pastor" or "prophet" could inform two believers that witches and wizards have gathered against them to plot their downfall and they need to "pray very hard" and do such and such in order to avert the coming disaster. Such a "pastor" could even throw in some information about the two believers that that they know he has no way of knowing in order to legitimise his prophecy.

After hearing, Believer A, who does not know his covenant rights in Christ, cannot concentrate on anything else. He believes he must do some things by his power to avert the disaster. He asks the "pastor" "what must I do to be saved" from the works of these evildoers? This question is akin to that which the rich young ruler asked our Lord Jesus in Luke 18! Christ's response when His disciples asked Him "Who then can be saved?" (after the rich young ruler went away sorrowful because he could not be saved by his own works) shows us that with man, this is impossible! Of course, the "pastor" always knows what to do - endless fasts, sowing seed, saara, deliverance sessions with childhood pictures, bring sand from your office, even asking what sin you sinned! etc. But the arm of flesh will fail.

But Believer B, established in the Lord’s Righteousness, says to this Old Covenant high priest wannabe "Why are you telling me something that the Lord has already told me? Have you not heard? The Lord Himself said of us in Isaiah 54:15: “Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.”"

You see, these seers who bring bad news and tell you it's up to you to save yourself with the things they ask you to do or bring are not saying anything new. As the righteousness of God in Christ, relying on what Christ has done for us and not what we can do, our Lord God has already told us and still tells us “Surely they shall gather…” Whether we are aware of the gathering or not does not matter. If He chooses to make us aware of it, it is definitely not so that we should go and spend days on some mountain without eating or “sow a seed” or else He will not help us! How could He when Romans 8:32 says “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

Christ's finished work on the cross is what makes them fall for our sake, not our "filthy rags" fasts, seeds and other righteous works that these fake pastors lead the flock to do with the aim of appeasing God so that He can deliver them. Doing these things is being under the Law. And the Law is not of faith. And without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Verse 14 sets those who can enjoy the promise in Isaiah 54:15 apart from those who cannot.

“In righteousness you shall be established;

You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;

And from terror, for it shall not come near you.”

These promises are for those who are established in the Lord’s Righteousness, not theirs. We know it is the Lord’s Righteousness and not our own obedience because Romans 3:10 says “As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;…” and Isaiah 64:6 says- “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags...”

How are we established in the Lord’s Righteousness? He called us to be in Christ and “… He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. 

On the cross there was a righteous exchange. God made His Son to be sin for us so that we might become 100% righteous in Him. This righteousness was bought with the blood of Jesus and has absolutely nothing to do with our efforts at keeping the Law in order to get right with God or receive from Him.

Believers, let’s not be deceived. These seers are not saying anything new! Their job is to peddle fear (the underlying theme of their message is always fear) and make you believe that you need to do some things in order for God to rescue you. This points to the Law (giving to get from God who gives us all things freely with Christ.) Those that are of the works of the law are under the curse according to Galatians 3:10 –

“ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse;…”

Galatians 5:4 says Christ is of no effect to those in this category.

4 "For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace."

This is smack where the devil wants everyone to be – discarding the gift of righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ and embracing our own righteousnesses obtained via works of the Law so that we can be condemned (the Law condemns all) and fall under its judgment after he carries out his job of accusing the brethren!

The Lord forbids it for us His beloved in Christ!

Believers, as the righteousness of God in Christ, we have already been rescued and not because of what we did or didn’t do; they “shall fall for your sake” because the Lord said so and not because you do things to avert whatever!

If you knew that there was a dog waiting to bite your child right outside your door, what would you do? You’d do your best to keep your child safe and kill the dog, all without your child asking! In fact, if your child was so ignorant that he still wanted to play with the same dog, you'd do all in your power to make sure this doesn't happen. How much more our heavenly Father who loves us much more than we could ever love our children!

Verse 17 of the same Isaiah 54 says:

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the LORD.

Notice that this blessing is not earned by fasting and prayer or any work. It is an inheritance (heritage) for those whose righteousness is from the Lord, not their efforts at keeping the Law or pleasing Him.

Romans 10:10 says “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

This salvation (in the original Greek) is not just being saved from hell to heaven. It also encompasses God's protection; deliverance from the power, pleasure and penalty of sin and addiction; deliverance from molestations by the enemy and deliverance from sickness, lack, fear, unbelief and all earthly ills.

Believe it with your heart. Confess it with your mouth. Meditate on it day and night (mutter it under your breath and think on it!) and see it! Even these things we do by His grace alone!

Don’t worry if you don’t know what bible verse to quote for what situation. Don’t worry if you don’t remember any! Remember, “Be anxious over nothing…” Ask our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit will teach you all things, even bring to your remembrance all the memory verses that you learned at those Sunday school sessions that your parents forced you to attend when you were much younger:), "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" - Philippians 1:6.

Right now and always, with the Lord as our Righteousness, He covers us with His Feathers!

Believe Right and you will Live Right.